Kangaroo Flat aquatic centre to get boost

PROGRESS: Members of the Kangaroo Flat Community Enterprise hand a cheque to representatives from the City of Greater Bendigo. Picture: JODIE DONNELLAN

UPDATE 10.15AM: IT may be a dip in an Olympic-sized swimming pool but Mayor Barry Lyons says he is thrilled with the Kangaroo Flat Community Enterprise's $100,000 donation.

"This is a true representation of what the community thinks we need," Cr Lyons said.

"It shows the appreciation people have for the project."

He said the City of Greater Bendigo would continue to lobby the federal government for the remaining $5 million needed to complete the $30 million project.

He said he had discussed the project in two meetings in Canberra and was confident the government would contribute to the project.

He said the council wanted confirmation by the federal government by Christmas.

He said the council would push ahead with the project even if the government did not commit any money.

Enterprise chairman Alan Besley said his organisation had been saving for the donation since the project was first announced, in 2009.

He said he was negotiating tax benefits from donating and would try to convince corporate groups to also donate to the project.

"There may well be some corporate groups who want to donate," he said.

EARLIER: The proposed indoor aquatic centre in Kangaroo Flat will receive a $100,000 boost from a community group today.

This morning, the Kangaroo Flat Community Enterprise will pledge $100,000 towards the new $30 million Greater Bendigo Indoor Aquatic Leisure and Wellbeing complex in Browning Street, Kangaroo Flat.

Chairman Alan Besley said the enterprise was a strong supporter of the proposed new aquatic complex. He said it was both proud and pleased to provide the amount towards the construction.

“KFCE is a not-for-profit community company, formed by residents of Kangaroo Flat and surrounding areas to provide community input and resources into local initiatives, programs and facilities," he said.

“We are looking forward to seeing this vision for a state-of-the-art indoor aquatic, leisure and well-being centre become a reality sooner than we dreamed,” said Mr Besley.

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Barry Lyons said the $100,000 was a fantastic commitment by the local community.

“The local community have paid more than lip service to the proposed new complex, they are actually contributing financially to it," he said.

"It’s a terrific effort by the KFCE and its supporters and it really shows the community want this facility constructed as soon as possible.”

The plans for the proposed new two-level complex include:

- Eight-lane 50m swimming pool;

- Hydrotherapy warm water pool and spa;

- Children’s splash play and learn to swim pool;

- Gymnasium;

- Wellness Centre;

- Change rooms; and

- Short-stay childcare facilities.

Cr Lyons said the complex was a priority project for the growing wider region.

“The state government has committed $15 million toward the project however council still needs to secure significant additional funding support from other sources for it to come to fruition.

"In the meantime we continue to move forward with our plans for the complex.”